Leeds recognised as Integration Pioneer

The Department of Health has announced that Leeds has been chosen as one of 14 Integration Pioneers nationally.

The 14 pioneers are showcasing innovative ways of creating change in the health service, which the Government and national partners want to see spread across the country, Care and Support Minister Norman Lamb announced.

The ambitious initiatives are blazing a trail for change by pioneering new ways of delivering coordinated care and transforming the way health and care is being delivered to patients by bringing services closer together than ever before. The pioneers have been selected by a panel of experts, including international experts drawing together global expertise and experience of how good joined up care works in practice.

The aim is to make health and social care services work together to provide better support at home and earlier treatment in the community to prevent people needing emergency care in hospital or care homes.

Results from these approaches in the pioneer areas include:

2,000 fewer patient admissions over a two and a half year period, achieved through teams of nurses, social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists working together to prevent crises

Reducing waiting times from eight weeks to 48 hours at physiotherapy services by making professionals work closer together

Setting up a crisis house where people who suffer mental health problems can get intensive support

With the number of people with more than one long term condition such as diabetes, asthma or dementia set to rise from 1.9 million in 2008 to 2.9 million in 2018 and increasing pressures on A&E departments, the need to deliver better joined-up care and a more sustainable NHS has never been more urgent.

Rob Kenyon Leeds City Council's Chief Officer Partnerships said:

This is testament to the collective energy, effort and enthusiasm which went into developing and writing the expression of interest and the subsequent presentation and interview.

"It is great that all Leeds’ excellent work on integration to date has been recognised by international experts as we aim to be the best city in the UK for health and well-being. Even better, this now presents us with a real opportunity to go further and faster to improve quality of care for children and adults in the city.

"Throughout the process, the strength of and commitment to working in partnership across the whole health and social care system was clear to see. Now that Leeds has been selected as pioneer, it is vital that this momentum continues (and I have every confidence it will) to deliver on our ambitious vision for integration. Next steps to follow but once again, thank you for your support over the past few months and very well done!"

More details and who the 14 pioneers are is available on the gov.uk website